Patterns and Parallels in World Religions

To observe patterns and parallels that exist in all world religions in an effort to assess how religious beliefs and practices give meaning to people's lives everywhere

Comparative Religion

To gain a deeper awareness of one’s own religious tradition through a comparative (not competitive!) approach to the study of humanities and religion

Analyze Islamic Humanities

Analyze, using appropriate terminology and evaluative models, the key components of Islamic humanities.

Non-Western Cultural Understanding

Demonstrate basic understanding of at least one culture in addition to North American and European cultures

Aesthetic/Intellectual Contributions of the Islamic World

to acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the history, beliefs, practices, and aesthetic/intellectual contributions of the Islamic world in order to allow students to discuss Islam with accuracy and respect. It should be the aim of the student of comparative religion to explain another religious tradition sympathetically and intelligently so that an adherent of that faith would recognize that explanation as authentic and acceptable